Spike.



M. RASMUSSEN. SPIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED APB.18,1910.

awe/M904: Marf/n Rasmussen won W430 Patented Apr. 2, 1912.

@IATES PATEN T QFFICE.

MARTIN RASMUSSEN, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD J. SCHOWALTER,

' OF RACINE, WISCONSIN.

SPIKE.

' To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Mau'rm Rasuussnx, (who has filed his intention to become a citizen of the United States,) residing at Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spikes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improved spike.

The object of the invention is to provide a simply constructed and el'licient toothed spike having means for gradually tightening it in the object into which it is driven and means for locking said tightening means against withdrawal.

Another and inujiortant object of the invention is in the particular constructimi of the head of the spike whereby the same may be conveniently removed from the tie or other object, when desired but cannot work out or become loosened in the latter when in use.

IVith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully described and partitallarly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1. represents a perspective view ofone form of this improved spike with the key arranged in juxtaposition ready for insertion; Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a slightly modified form; Fig. 41 is a similar view of another form.

In the embodiment illustrated, in Fig. 1 a Hat body member 1 is shown having a cleft 2 extending inwardly from its upper end preferably to a point below its center to provide laterally spaced support engaging members 2 and 2 and one face of said cleft is smooth and the other face provided with downturned small ratchet teeth as 3 extending the greater portion of its length which are adapted to engage cooperating upwardly inclined teeth on a key to be described. This body member 1 is provided on its opposite edges with large upwardly extending blade-like teeth as 1 designed for Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 18, 1910.

Patented Apr. 2, 1912.

Serial No. 556,230.

engagement with the object into which it is to be driven such as a railroad tie or the like to prevent withdrawal of the spike.

A key 5 is adapted for insertion in the cleft 2 of the member 1 and has one flat smooth face (3 for engagement with the smooth face of the cleft and with its other face tapering gradually toward its lower end and provided with a plurality of small upwardly inclined ratchet teeth as 7 adapted to ride over the teeth 3 of the cleft wall when driven into the cleft and forces the members 2 and 2 gradually outward to cause a gradual tightening of the spike and hence avoid danger of splitting the tie or other object into which the spike is driven. This spike is preferably provided with downwardly inclined bracing members 8 which may be omitted if desired.

As clearly shown in Fig. 1, the head of the spike is composed of two outwardly projecting lugs S opposite the downwardly inclined brace members 8, the latter holding the said lugs a suitable distance above the upper surface of the tie or other object. into which the spike is driven. whereby after the key 5, has been driven into the spike and between the engaging members 2" and 2 a crowbar or other tool may be readily and conveniently inserted between said lugs for spreading said members and thus releasing the key.

In the form shown in Fig. 9 is shown provided with a sharp point 10 and a cleft 11 similar to the cleft 2 of Figs. 1 and 2 and a similarly constructed key 12 is arranged for insertion in said cleft 11 and is preferably provided with a flat head 13 to facilitate its insertion.

In the form shown in Fig. 4 the spike body 1-1- is preferably made round and provided with large teeth 15 on its outer face the cleft 10 being of similar construction to those shown in the other figures. The key 17 is similar to the other keys having an eye 18 at its upper end to receive a ring 19 to adapt it for use as a hitching post.

From the tloregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may 3 a wood screw be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention, as defined in the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

A spike comprising the body portion with its central portion cut-away part way of its length to divide the spike, one of the inner faces of the divided parts being smooth, and the other divided part having its inner face toothed, the outer faces of the divided parts having incuts arranged at intervals along its lengths, said incuts providing wedge shaped barbs having knife edges, a wedge adapted to be wholly in serted between the divided portion having on one face teeth to engage the teeth of said divided part, and said wedge also having on its other side a smooth face to engage the smooth face of the divided part whereby to force the knife edges of the wedge shaped barbs into an object.

in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARTIN RASMUSSEN.

Witnesses GUY A. BENSON,

101mm G. I'IARVEY.

I Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

